Wales hold on for eighth straight over Scotland

Jonathan Davies and Wales were able to hold off Scotland in their Six Nations rugby union match at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Sunday. Russell Cheyne / Reuters

EDINBURGH // Wales weathered a fierce Scotland onslaught to kick-start their Six Nations campaign with a frenetic 26-23 victory at a sun-kissed Murrayfield on Sunday.

Jonathan Davies’s second-half try sealed Wales’s eighth successive win over the Scots and put them back on track following last weekend’s dismal home loss to England.

“We were unconvincing last week and again towards the end today but a win’s a win,” Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones told the BBC.

“In the last couple of games we’ve been unconvincing but credit to Scotland, they never gave up.”

Scotland, who scored the first and last tries of the match, at least salvaged some pride following their 51-3 mauling at Cardiff last year, although it was their fourth successive home Six Nations defeat.

“Disappointed to come up short, we played some good rugby but came up short,” Scotland captain Greg Laidlaw said.

“Rome was not built in a day and this team is on a journey with [coach] Vern Cotter. I thought the referee forgot how long was on the clock at the end.”

Leigh Halfpenny put Wales ahead with an early penalty but Scotland hit back strongly and were rewarded for a quick turnover of Welsh ball, which set up full back Stuart Hogg to scorch down the left touchline and touch down.

Scrum-half Laidlaw converted and knocked over a penalty to put the Scots 10-3 ahead before Halfpenny cut the gap with another immaculate kick.

By the half it was 16-10 the visitors after winger Liam Williams surged down the left and passed inside for scrum-half Rhys Webb to dart over, followed by a Halfpenny touchline conversion.

After Davies touched down for Wales at the 64th minute, Scotland launched a series of daring raids on the Welsh line but were unable to cross it until two minutes from time when replacement forward Jon Welsh powered over from close range.

Follow us on twitter at @NatSportlUAE